LETTER FROM the PRESIDENT

In 1853, our founders chartered Christian University, the first higher education institution west of the Mississippi River to educate both young men and young women of promise. Even then, they understood the value of diversity in education and that relationships built would develop successful leaders for the future. Our path toward building a diverse College has not been straight, and often we have missed steps. But we continue to work to provide a robust and values-based educational experience for all students of promise.

This year we celebrate 170 years of diverse relationships that have occurred on “the Hill.” Our mission is found in those student-professor relationships that develop young minds, student relationships built while playing on an athletic field or traveling abroad, and in donor relationships such as those of Mary Culver and Robert Stockton – relationships so meaningful that the name of the college was changed to reflect their significance.

These relationships also make us happier and contribute to our wellness. We are only beginning to understand how important having diverse relationships is to our physical and mental well-being. Every day, we encounter people who make our individual worlds better, easier, healthier, and happier. For me, it is one of our employees in dining services who makes sure that my favorite macadamia nut cookies are on the dessert cart. For the College there are those who contribute major gifts or small gifts, which go to our Student Scholarship Fund to help the next generation of diverse students of promise to grow and flourish with the benefit of a Culver-Stockton education. In doing so, we all live in a better world.

As long as Culver-Stockton College continues to build positive, diverse relationships founded upon the best values of faith and the human spirit, I am confident that it will stand for at least 170 more years.

Best wishes in the new year,

Dr. Douglas B. Palmer President

Representing Wildcats In Washington

President Palmer met with Missouri representative Sam Graves in Washington, DC, to share how C-SC is contributing to Missouri and midwestern workforce development with high-demand programs like supply chain management, agribusiness management, and computer science.

New Faces

The executive leadership team at C-SC welcomed two new members this past summer. Dr. Belle Cowden was announced as Dean of Graduate and Professional Studies. Her extensive experience will be valuable as she works to grow graduate and online programs. Alumnus Adam Duesterhaus ’06 returned to “the Hill” as the Vice President for Advancement. He will lead the fundraising efforts for the College. Welcome to C-SC, Belle and Adam!

BLUE-TIFICATION

C-SC employees and a few Wildcat alumni participated in “Campus Blue-tification” to clean up the campus in preparation for the start of a new semester. Tasks included grounds maintenance, painting residence halls, and general cleaning. Thank you to everyone who pitched in to help prepare the campus for move-in!

Matriculation

The newest class of Wildcats arrived on “the Hill” on August 19 and participated in the time-honored tradition of matriculation. They were led by faculty to the steps of Johnson Residence Hall, they signed the student covenant, were officially welcomed into the College by President Palmer, and were reminded of their investment by Chairman Leftwich. The following day, over 300 Wildcats took to the streets of Canton to serve the Canton community for EDM (Everyone Doing More)!

Wildcat Ambassadors

The Admission Office selected the 2022-23 Wildcat Ambassadors and these current students will serve as tour guides for all college visits. Congratulations to these student representatives!

Sunset View

There is something magical about sunsets on “the Hill,” and the first football game offered a picturesque view for every Wildcat in the stands.

Student Involvement Fair

On August 31, students found community at the Student Involvement Fair when 30+ student organizations gathered to recruit interested students for the year ahead!

Best Season In A Decade

The Wildcat Women’s Volleyball team celebrated their most successful season in ten years, led by Coach Levi Pollreisz in his first season. The team placed five players on the 2022 Heart of America Athletic Conference All-Conference women’s volleyball team, and senior Madison McClain ’23 was named NAIAAVCA All-American Honorable Mention. Congratulations, Wildcats!

Jase Orndorff

Quarterback Jase Orndorff ’23 was named Heart of America Player of the Week twice throughout the regular season for his contributions to the Wildcats on the field. Way to go, Jase!

EDUCATION FALL MINI-CONFERENCE

The Education Department hosted their annual fall miniconference, which featured hands-on workshops led by Wildcats currently teaching in the classroom. This year’s theme was Art Therapy, and each guest presenter taught an experiential lesson that could be adapted to a K-12 classroom.

Wildcats Connect

C-SC is connected in a new way this year using an app called “Wildcats Connect.” This platform allows students, faculty, and staff to notify the campus of events, opportunities, and student groups. Wildcats Connect has increased attendance at events, streamlined communication, and even aided with event check-in. Find it on the app store by searching Wildcats Connect and follow along to see what is happening on “the Hill.”

The Dining Room

The Department of Theatre opened its season with a production of A.R. Gurney’s “The Dining Room,” which told the story of a typical well-to-do household and the countless conversations that take place around the dinner table throughout time.

United Way Day Of Caring

Twelve education students served as guest readers in every Pre K-6 grade classroom at Canton R-V in early October to celebrate United Way’s Day of Caring. Wildcats led classroom discussions about helping others, and the elementary students were gifted the book they heard by the Kiwanis Club of Canton.

Blunt On Campus

US Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO) visited campus in October to meet with first-generation students, educators, and area leaders to discuss the importance of Pell grants and the opportunities for more students to make higher education available. He applauded the C-SC Opportunity Scholarship initiative, which covers full tuition for students from Lewis and Knox counties.

Thomas Elliott

Through our Moorman Professorship, and in collaboration with the Black Student Union, we welcomed alumnus Thomas Elliott ’77 to empower several groups of students with his inspiring story. He shared his experience as an investment analyst, attorney, and real estate advisor.

Giving Thanks

The best conversations take place when gathered around a table! Faculty and staff smile for a photo before serving students the annual Thanksgiving meal during finals week. Students appreciate participating in this Wildcat tradition to celebrate the season’s blessings!

Canton Lighted Parade

President and Mrs. Palmer led the way with our “Willie Big Frosty” float at the Canton Lighted Parade on December 1st to kick off the holiday season. Students wore Holiday on the Hill shirts and passed out coloring sheets and candy to parade-goers. The float was followed by the Thrill on the Hill marching band, and the acapella group sang Christmas carols as the tree was lit in Canton’s Central Park.

55 WILDCATS NAMED DAKTRONICS-NAIA SCHOLAR-ATHLETES

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) announced the 2022-23 Daktronics NAIA Scholar-Athletes in December. Culver-Stockton College featured 22 football, 17 women’s volleyball, eight men’s soccer, and eight women’s volleyball recipients on the list. To be recognized, the student-athlete must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale, must appear on the eligibility certificate for the sport, and have attended one full year at the said institution.

FIFTEEN FOOTBALL PLAYERS NAMED TO ALL-HEART NORTH DIVISION TEAM

Fifteen members of the C-SC football team earned spots on the 2022 Heart of America Athletic Conference All-North Division Team. Defensively, the Wildcats placed four players on the All-North Division team, including two first-team selections. Offensively, C-SC placed six players on the all-conference team, with all six players earning secondteam honors. One other player earned all-conference recognition on special teams, and four others received honorable mention accolades.

MCCLAIN NAMED TO NAIA-AVCA ALLAMERICA TEAM

Senior Madison McClain ’23 was named to the team as an honorable mention selection, becoming the first Wildcat to be named to the All-America team since 2015. An outside hitter from Otterville, Missouri, she led the Heart of America Athletic Conference in total kills (405), kills per set (3.82), and total attacks (1,222) this season.

WOMEN’S SOCCER 2022 MUSCO TEAM SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD

The Wildcat Women’s soccer team was awarded the NAIA Sportsmanship Award for their display of the five core character values of Integrity, Respect, Responsibility, Sportsmanship and Servant Leadership.

“This award was developed by the Heart Association of Student-Athletes (HASA) and I am proud to see this award recognized for a second-straight year across the conference,” said Heart of America Athletic Conference Commissioner Lori Thomas. “Under head coach Tyler Tomlinson ’03, the Wildcats are very deserving of this award.”’

Rankings

Holiday On The Hill

The second-annual Holiday on the Hill was a success as we welcomed 150+ community members to the Mabee Center Gymnasium. Events included games, crafts, holiday stories read by students, cookie decorating, and photos with Santa Claus! We are thankful for the collaborative efforts of several student organizations, the Palmer Family, and Public Relations in welcoming the community to campus for this annual event.

U.S. News and World Report released its list of “2023 Best Colleges and Universities,” and Culver-Stockton College earned three prestigious rankings among midwest colleges, one of which landed them the number nine placement. C-SC ranked #9 for Social Mobility in Midwest Colleges, an increase of eight spots over last year’s ranking and 28 total spots from the 2021 rankings.

Ranked #26 for Best Midwest Regional College, C-SC increased eight spots from the 2022 rankings on this comprehensive measure. The midwest region represents colleges from Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.